You're so right, Jen. This is a MAJOR issue with me. We wouldn't leave our defenseless children outside all day so why would we leave our defenseless animals outside? I'm not even fond of the idea of bigger dogs being left out in a fenced-in yard all the time, but I know some dogs actually prefer to be outside, and situations aren't always black and white to judge. I would worry about wild animals hurting my babies, much less mentally-unstable individuals putting these poor animals through God knows what. I guess I really don't even understand the point of getting a cat to just leave it outside. I feel sorry for your bf's neighbor and his kids, but I really hope he thinks twice about what the other cat probably went through before getting another "outdoor" cat.
(I'm sorry, Brooke, I really don't mean to sound like a b*tch, but I am such an animal person that I hate to think of any animal not living with the love and protection they deserve. The quote from someone's signature really explains my feelings: the strong must protect the weak.)[/QUOTE]
I'm not real quick to stand up in a controversial issue but there are people who have outside animals and there is nothing wrong with that. Our Australian Shepherd puppy is an outside-only dog. She gets mega love and attention and has a very large outdoor kennel area with a nice dog house set up. We live in the country and she is being trained to help with the cattle. Just wanted to point out that there are reasons for outside dogs. I would never chain my dog up and not pay attention to it but I also will not allow her inside the house - that's Tatum's domain. We also have 2 outside-only cats (kittens at the moment). They roam the yard and immediate property during the day and sleep in a large kennel on the porch at night. They are our "mousers" and keep small critters at bay. There are reasons for having outdoor animals.... not all of us are torturing the poor things by making them live outside. I would never leave a dog such as a Yorkie outside but there's reasons for them being inside dogs too. Not criticizing anyone else's opinions, just trying to show another point of view.
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~ Angie |